StGeorge vs Raiders Rnd5 2001

Saints On TV
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
DRAGONS

RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL: TV PICS, RESULTS, REPORTS

ROUND 5 - 18 MARCH 2001 - BRUCE STADIUM
SAINTS V RAIDERS

KICKOFF: Sunday 6pm

CROWD 10,187

[ BACK TO LEAGUE LADDER & MAIN PAGE ]
[ Team 2001 ] [ Draw 2001 ]

SOTV PREVIEW:
ROUND 5: PREVIEW CANBERRA MATCH
TEAM: SUN 18 MARCH, BRUCE STADIUM
1. Amos Roberts, 2. Nathan Blacklock, 3. Mark Gasnier, 4. Paul McGregor*,
5. Jamie Ainscough, 6. Trent Barrett*, 7. Willie Peters, 8. Craig Smith (c)
9. Jason Hooper, 10. Chris Leikvoll, 11. Colin Ward, 12. Lance Thompson,
13. Andrew Hart*. Res: 14. Jason Ryles, 15. Jamie Fitzgerald, 16. Mark Riddell
17. Lee Hookey
Referee: Sean Hampstead
SAINTS REELING FROM INJURY TOLL
Tues Mar 13: Luke Bailey's torn prectoral muscle has ruled him out for the season. the injury occurred in Saints round 4 loss (34-6) to the NZ Warriors. Wayne Bartrim is also out for 4 weeks plus Chris Leikvoll and Jason Ryles are in doubt.
Trent Barrett is also undergoing fitness tests and Nathan Brown's future is uncertain as his return has now been listed as being 'indefinite'.
Currently, the Dragons have 11 players out with injuries (see injury list lower left side of this page).
The only good news for Saints is the return of prop and captain Craig Smith who is coming back from suspension.
The Canberra Raiders will be without props Ruben Wiki and Luke Davico who have been suspended.
*TEAM UPDATES
Paul McGregor (knee) ruled out of round 5 match.
Trent Barrett (calf) still a 50/50 chance.
LATE NEWS: BARRETT HAS BEEN RULED OUT!
ANDREW HART HAS BEEN RULED OUT!
NATHAN BROWN RETIRES! (more: see Brown profile)
In: Lee Hookey is in run on side. Justin Smith and Wade Forrester come onto the bench. Saints team

RESULTS: CANBERRA 32 defeated SAINTS 22
Fulltime stats

Scorers for Saints:
Nathan Blacklock 2, Lance Thompson, Wade Forrester tries. Mark Riddell 2/3, Amos Roberts 1/1 goals

ROUND 5 MATCH SUMMARY
Canberra 32- StGeorge Illawarra 22
In the 55th minute, the Raiders scored a try which I have to say was the softest try which I have ever seen in nearly 4 decades of watching footy.
Canberra forward, Todd Payten, hardly a class act, was 1 metre out and on the last tackle. He dummied and London to a brick, every defender bought it!
Saints started well but spent all their money in the first 20 minutes and from then on, whenever there was a scramble on, the Raiders always seemed to get to the ball first.
On the upside, Saints did not capitulate and tried hard right up to the final bell.
Saints best players included Nathan Blacklock who scored 2 tries and worked hard to inspire his team mates.
Craig Smith had a solid game as did Lance Thompson. Mark Riddell also showed us that we still have some players who are full of spirit. The same goes for Jason Hooper.
Jamie Ainscough made a horrible defensive error in the first half but for the most part he tried to take on the workload of the forwards and played an inspirational role in a losing side.
All in all, a bloody miserable way to finish the weekend.

Full report:
Saints opened the scoring with a try in the 10th minute when Nathan Blacklock touched down in the corner. Mark Riddell kicked the conversion from the sideline.
For the next 10 minutes, Saints had their chances but couldn't cross and the Raiders looked to be growing in confidence.
In the 20th minute, Canberra scored after their fullback Schifcofske fielded a Willie Peters' chip ahead. Jason Hooper was running through and looked to be obstructed. Schifcofske took full advantage as the gap presented itself and went straight through running 50 metres before finding

Vainikolo in support who scored. The try was converted and the score was 6-all. A short time later, the Raider's hooker, Simon Woolford kicked ahead and ran straight at Saints' forward, Jason Ryles who

dropped his shoulder into Woolford. Although Ryles didn't move from his spot, he did drop his shoulder in and was penalised within kicking range. The kick was successful and Raiders hit the lead at 8-6 (this incident actually made it to the judiciary and Ryles was later suspended for one week in controversial circumstances, see website news).
Saints are guilty of a late tackle again (this time it Jamie Fitzgerald) in the 31st minute and it costs them another 2 points. Score 10-6 in favour of the home team.
In the 33rd minute, Lance Thompson and Nathan Blacklock chase a Willie Peters' crossfield bomb and while contesting

the ball, Blacklock is instrumental in having the ball knocked back into the arms of Thommo who strolls over to score. riddell converts and Saints re-gain the lead, 12-10.
Just 2 minutes before halftime, Saints have a staggered defensive line the Raiders' O'Hara scores a try out wide.Score at halftime: Raiders 14 - Saints 12.

In the 43rd minute, Canberra score easily when Mapp crosses from close range and dives over next to the uprights. Score 20-12.
In the 55th minute, Canberra's Todd Payten scores history's softest try when he blinks to his right and all the defenders in front run that way, leaving the line open for an embarrassing try next to the sticks. The conversion from Schifcofske is successful and Canberra go further ahead, 26-12.
Saints strike back in the 65th minute when Nathan Blacklock gets his 2nd try. The final pass looked a bit dusty and was probably forward but Tingha crashes through 2 defenders to score. This fires him up and is seen to yelling at his team mates in

an effort to lift them. Amos Roberts converts. Score: 26-18 and there's less than 15 minutes to go.
Canberra score the decisive blow in the 70th minute when a Jason Hooper kick is deflected and lands

fortuitously in the arms of a Canberra player who passes to the flying Vainikolo. Jason Hooper pursues but can't match it for pace and Vainikolo races away to score under the posts. Score: 32-18.
Saints never gave up though and after a period of possession and persistence, stand in forward Wade Forrester scores a good try on the final tackle when Saints elect to keep the ball alive. Riddell's conversion misses.
Saints managed to finish the match on a high note but were still convincingly defeated a more committed Canberra outfit. This is Saints' 4th loss in a row and time is running out.
Score at fulltime: Raiders 32 - Saints 18.

SOTV BEST PLAYERS:
Nathan Blacklock (3pts)
Lance Thompson (2pts)
Craig Smith (1pt)
For full list of best players, round by round, visit the team2001 page

SOUND FILES:
(HINT: best way to download sound files is to right click on pic and use 'save link' or 'save target' option, then save WAV file to desktop or folder of choice)
WAV (1293 Kb) Click on the speaker to hear the commentary on the Jason Ryles shoulder tackle

WAV (1025 Kb) Click on the pic to hear Jamie Ainscough speaking after the match

REF REPORT:
We didn't have too many problems with Sean Hampstead. His 10 metres was too bad had a match which was generally mistake free.
He missed at least one Saints' forward pass and pulled back another Canberra pass which was flat.
He (and the touch judge) completely missed the obstruction which Schifcofske was putting on Nathan Blacklock who looked set to score.
However, it was a good thing thing to see a fairly low penalty count which favoured Saints 5-4.
All in all, as far as ref's go, he put in a good show.
Rating: 7 out of 10

MATCH PICS:

Coiln Ward takes an early hit up...	...and puts on a solid run
Lance Thompson sets up a bust	and Amos Roberts is in the clear

Tingha scores
Jason Ryles drops the shoulder into Simon Woolford. The ref is right on the spot and Woolford is about to hit the deck.	The ref is about to penalise Ryles which should have been the end of it. Surpringly, the judiciary later charged Ryles with 'obstruction' earning Ryles an unprecedented one week suspension.
Blacklock contests the bomb	Lance Thompson receives the ball and scores
Lee Hookey in the clear	Jason Hooper gets away
Mark Riddell lines up a conversion	Craig Smith on the bench
Nathan Blacklock kicks for himself	Fullback, Clinton Schifcofske never looks at ball, he immediately heads for Blacklock
Tingha is shoulder charged by Schifcofske	Schifcofske's ploy works and Tingha is denied. Both the ref and the touchie missed this.

Coach Farrar looks on

Tingha scores and Saints aren't out of it yet!	Tingha shares his thoughts with his team mates
Wade Forrester scores	Try scorer in his first match with Saints' first grade

PREVIOUS MATCH v WARRIORS (RND 4)

NEXT MATCH v NTHERN EAGLES (RND 6)

[ BACK TO LEAGUE LADDER & MAIN PAGE ]
[ Team 2001 ] [ Draw 2001 ]

Email

Showroom Web Services